Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the backbone of our field and the heart of our workforce, providing assistance to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities supported in our system.
Direct care workers deserve our respect and appreciation each day, particularly during Direct Support Professionals Week, September 8-14. It is the perfect time to recognize and thank these dedicated DSPs for their ongoing commitment to ensuring that the individuals we support are active, participating members of the communities in which they live.
I know many nonprofit providers are holding recognition events of their own, and I invite all of you to share your stories and photos on OPWDD’s Facebook page, and go to our website, where you can read about OPWDD’s 2013 DSP honorees for each region, along with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s proclamation. I also encourage you to reach out to a DSP to express appreciation by sending an electronic thank you card!
Direct Support Professionals who are recognized for their outstanding efforts in state-provided services include:
State Operations Office 1
Renika Height, James Scott, Antonio Smith, Tammy Terwilliger
State Operations Office 2
Beverly Clark, Kathryn Dennie, Marla Luety, Xhem Shehu
State Operations Office 3
Janet Baker, Kevin Schoonmaker, Kenneth Spriggs, Dale Stone
State Operations Office 4
Jean Claudel Joseph, Grant Pauley, Robert Ryan
State Operations Office 5
Oscar Chapman, Alisha Garner, Karim Nash, Velma Pugh, Lystra Toussaint
State Operations Office 6
Terrohn Brown, Sharon Henderson, Sharon St. Louis
I congratulate all of this year’s honorees, and offer my sincere thanks for the work you do each day to help individuals with developmental disabilities live richer lives.
Sincerely,
Acting Commissioner Kelley
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.